Not everything online is true. People can post false or misleading things. Misinformation can spread. Anyone can publish online, so it is useful to check who is behind a page. With a surprising post, a good first step is to stop. Notice how it makes you feel before you share it. The SIFT method has four moves: Stop, Investigate the source, Find better coverage, and Trace claims back to the original. To check a claim, see what other trusted sites say. Do they agree?

Scammers make fake websites. These try to steal passwords or other personal information. Some pop-ups offer free prizes but ask for your personal details, and these can be scams. Only download apps from official app stores. An app may ask for permission to see things on your device, like contacts or location. Read what it asks for. Before you click a link or a pop-up you do not know, stop and ask a trusted grown-up.

Phishing is when criminals try to get you to open harmful links, emails or attachments. These ask for your personal information. Phishing messages are often made to look like they come from a person or company you trust. A message that pushes you to act right away is a common sign of phishing. It warns about what happens if you do not. If you think a message might be a scam, do not click its links or open its attachments.

Your digital footprint is all of the information about you that can be found online. Once something is posted online it can be impossible to remove completely. A good rule for posting is this. If you would not want your grandmother to see it, do not post it. Privacy settings let you choose who can see your profile and posts. Most apps and games have them. You can make an account private. You can turn off location sharing.

Cyberbullying means using technology to harass, threaten or embarrass someone. If someone is unkind to you online, the first step is to tell an adult you trust. If you get mean messages, you can block the sender. You can report mean or cruel posts to the website or app, and it may block the person who posted them. If you see someone being cyberbullied, do not join in. Do not stay silent. Tell an adult.

Be kind online. Do not be rude or mean. Treat other people online the way you want to be treated. If something online upsets a friend, help them. Speak up to a grown-up you trust. If something online makes you feel sad, scared or confused, tell a trusted grown-up. Telling a grown-up about something that worried you online is the right thing to do. You should not be in trouble for telling.

Words to know

• misinformation: false things spreading
• SIFT: four checking moves
• phishing: tricks for information
• cyberbullying: unkind acts online